Rivers Activity
Rivers GE file
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Competition for Everest and Oceans on Mars
Geology folks should check out this very interesting article that discusses the question of whether Everest really is the tallest mountain on earth. As it turns out, it just depends upon where you measure the mountain!
Geology -- We will be in the computer labs today using Google Earth to explore various characteristics of rivers. Next week, we'll be in the lab again exploring river discharge.
BRCC -- Collect those sediment samples and data points! On Tuesday, we'll sieve them and analyze their composition. We'll then plot them in a GIS and see how they compare to a geologic map of the county.
Astronomy folks ought to check out this article on how oceans on mars may have formed. It turns out that the water may have come from the ground...
We will finish the nine weeks with "Voyage to the Planets" a neat BBC production that explores what a manned mission to many locations in the solar system might entail. Next week, we'll finish the Kepler lab and then take the quiz over chapter 4. Finally, we'll be moving on to the solar system!
Have a great long weekend!
Geology -- We will be in the computer labs today using Google Earth to explore various characteristics of rivers. Next week, we'll be in the lab again exploring river discharge.
BRCC -- Collect those sediment samples and data points! On Tuesday, we'll sieve them and analyze their composition. We'll then plot them in a GIS and see how they compare to a geologic map of the county.
Astronomy folks ought to check out this article on how oceans on mars may have formed. It turns out that the water may have come from the ground...
We will finish the nine weeks with "Voyage to the Planets" a neat BBC production that explores what a manned mission to many locations in the solar system might entail. Next week, we'll finish the Kepler lab and then take the quiz over chapter 4. Finally, we'll be moving on to the solar system!
Have a great long weekend!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Discovery's final, new planets, an amazing field trip, and hot rocks under West Virginia!
Geology folks of all stripes should check out this very interesting article on the potential for geothermal energy production in West Virginia. It seems that some good has come of all those gas wells that have been drilled :). They now know that West Virgina has more baseline electrical generation capacity via geothermal energy than it does in its coal reserves! And, since geothermal doesn't run out...well, all the better!
Geology folks -- We started chapter 9 today and took the chapter 18/19 quiz. Thursday, we will be in the computer lab using Google Earth to explore the different shapes of rivers as well as various aspects of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Let's hope that the computers are in a good mood!
BRCC geology folks -- What a trip on Monday, eh? I hadn't been to the Virginia DMME office before, but I came back inspired. I hope that you did also, at least a little bit. I've already spoken with Mr. Good about the possibility of putting together a BHS rock garden! The geologists there were great and extremely helpful. We didn't come back with as many water well records for Bergton as we had hoped, but we did come back with some direction on that as well as information on how to download relevant natural gas well logs of various types, geophysical and otherwise. So, we have some information to work with. Additionally, we found out that their office is in the process of beginning work on a surificial geologic map of the Broadway Quad. Serendipitous? I think so! We may be able to contribute. One idea is to map one (or more?) or your family farms. What a great opportunity.
Our test over chapters 6, 7, 13, and 1 is tomorrow. Be ready. After the test, we'll talk about some of these ideas that are crystallizing. I'm open to adjusting our curriculum as needed to accomodate interesting projects rather than spending our time lecturing and so forth.
Astronomy -- One sad piece of news, the final flight for the Shuttle Discovery is now set for November 1st. I grew up with the space shuttles. I was a little guy in elementary school when the news came of the Challenger disaster in 1986. Despite some tragic setbacks, it's been an amazing program. I hate to see it go. In particular, the thought of having to rely on Russion capsules to ferry our astronauts for the time being kind of stinks. I just hope that our politicians can get their act together to allow NASA the time and continuity of program that is necessary to develop and fly its replacement!
On a lighter note, since our next topic is our solar system (in about a week), it's timely to note the discovery of two Jupiter sized planets that were found, in all places, in a binary star system! It's been thought that the gravitational effects of a binary system preclude, or at least make quite difficult, the formation of planets. Neat, huh?
Homecoming and computers messed us up! We will get back on track, though. Tomorrow, 6th period will share their research on ancient observatories. After break, we'll have the quiz on chapter 4 and then begin diving into the solar system. Don't forget your observation for the month of October is due November 3rd!
See you in class...
Geology folks -- We started chapter 9 today and took the chapter 18/19 quiz. Thursday, we will be in the computer lab using Google Earth to explore the different shapes of rivers as well as various aspects of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Let's hope that the computers are in a good mood!
BRCC geology folks -- What a trip on Monday, eh? I hadn't been to the Virginia DMME office before, but I came back inspired. I hope that you did also, at least a little bit. I've already spoken with Mr. Good about the possibility of putting together a BHS rock garden! The geologists there were great and extremely helpful. We didn't come back with as many water well records for Bergton as we had hoped, but we did come back with some direction on that as well as information on how to download relevant natural gas well logs of various types, geophysical and otherwise. So, we have some information to work with. Additionally, we found out that their office is in the process of beginning work on a surificial geologic map of the Broadway Quad. Serendipitous? I think so! We may be able to contribute. One idea is to map one (or more?) or your family farms. What a great opportunity.
Our test over chapters 6, 7, 13, and 1 is tomorrow. Be ready. After the test, we'll talk about some of these ideas that are crystallizing. I'm open to adjusting our curriculum as needed to accomodate interesting projects rather than spending our time lecturing and so forth.
Astronomy -- One sad piece of news, the final flight for the Shuttle Discovery is now set for November 1st. I grew up with the space shuttles. I was a little guy in elementary school when the news came of the Challenger disaster in 1986. Despite some tragic setbacks, it's been an amazing program. I hate to see it go. In particular, the thought of having to rely on Russion capsules to ferry our astronauts for the time being kind of stinks. I just hope that our politicians can get their act together to allow NASA the time and continuity of program that is necessary to develop and fly its replacement!
On a lighter note, since our next topic is our solar system (in about a week), it's timely to note the discovery of two Jupiter sized planets that were found, in all places, in a binary star system! It's been thought that the gravitational effects of a binary system preclude, or at least make quite difficult, the formation of planets. Neat, huh?
Homecoming and computers messed us up! We will get back on track, though. Tomorrow, 6th period will share their research on ancient observatories. After break, we'll have the quiz on chapter 4 and then begin diving into the solar system. Don't forget your observation for the month of October is due November 3rd!
See you in class...
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday wrap-up!
With the end of the nine weeks arriving, it's time to consider whether or
not you've missed a quiz so that you can make it up. Check powerschool or
come and see me sometime outside of class and I'll be happy to help you
with this. It is your responsibility to remember to do this when you miss
class. You can access the course calendar, notes, and other information
at any time :).
not you've missed a quiz so that you can make it up. Check powerschool or
come and see me sometime outside of class and I'll be happy to help you
with this. It is your responsibility to remember to do this when you miss
class. You can access the course calendar, notes, and other information
at any time :).
Auf wiedersehen
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A bit of a redesign...
I've found that trying to find time to post on three different blogs is quite difficult...
So, here's the new one!
I'm retaining the old webaddress for the geology course blog, but all three of the courses that I teach at BHS will have a home here, Geology, Geology BRCC, and Astronomy (yes, there is geology in astronomy, after all!).
Geology students -- We are wrapping up chapters 18/19 with the review tomorrow. Your homework is due on Tuesday of next week...the same day as the quiz. Be ready!
Geology BRCC -- On Monday, we will be travelling to the Charlottesville, VA office for the Division of Mines, Minerals, and Energy in order to explore their repository of well logs and other assorted geological paraphenalia that relate to the geology of Bergton, VA. Our long term goal is to explore potential problems and possibilities related to hydrofracking the Marcellus Shale in our area. Come by 7:30 and bring a lunch...or at least a wad of cash to buy some...
Astronomy -- Two major things are in the pipeline now for the next week. We will be doing a lab dealing with Kepler's Laws as well as sharing your presentations about ancient observatories next week. Due to Homecoming and computer interruptions, your quiz for chapter 4 will be postponed until November 3rd. I'm sure that you're sad about that!
So, here's the new one!
I'm retaining the old webaddress for the geology course blog, but all three of the courses that I teach at BHS will have a home here, Geology, Geology BRCC, and Astronomy (yes, there is geology in astronomy, after all!).
Geology students -- We are wrapping up chapters 18/19 with the review tomorrow. Your homework is due on Tuesday of next week...the same day as the quiz. Be ready!
Geology BRCC -- On Monday, we will be travelling to the Charlottesville, VA office for the Division of Mines, Minerals, and Energy in order to explore their repository of well logs and other assorted geological paraphenalia that relate to the geology of Bergton, VA. Our long term goal is to explore potential problems and possibilities related to hydrofracking the Marcellus Shale in our area. Come by 7:30 and bring a lunch...or at least a wad of cash to buy some...
Astronomy -- Two major things are in the pipeline now for the next week. We will be doing a lab dealing with Kepler's Laws as well as sharing your presentations about ancient observatories next week. Due to Homecoming and computer interruptions, your quiz for chapter 4 will be postponed until November 3rd. I'm sure that you're sad about that!
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